 He lectured at the Advanced School for Girls, and also campaigned for women to be admitted to Adelaide University's School of Medicine.His own five daughters benefited from an excellent education, and Harriet (1878–1943) went on to earn an OBE for her work with mothers and children, and Jane (1881–1966) earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Adelaide University and later played viola in the South Australian Orchestra.Edward Charles Stirling was appointed the first President of the State Children's Council by its founder Catherine Helen Spence.